Single Node OpenShift Cluster Deployment: Detailed Steps
Create a Virtual Machine (VM) Using RHEL 9 on VMware Workstation
Begin by setting up a virtual machine in VMware Workstation using Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (RHEL 9) as the operating system. Configure the VM with the following resources to ensure it meets the requirements for a Single Node OpenShift deployment:
Allocate 4 GB of RAM to provide sufficient memory for the cluster.
Assign a 60 GB virtual hard disk to accommodate the operating system, OpenShift software, and any additional storage needs.
Configure 4 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) to ensure adequate processing power for the node.
Add a Network Adapter and Set to NAT Mode
Configure the virtual machine’s network settings by adding a network adapter. Set the adapter to NAT (Network Address Translation) mode. This allows the VM to share the host machine's IP address while enabling internet connectivity for downloading required packages and communicating with external services.
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Generate an SSH Public Key Using ssh-keygen To facilitate secure and passwordless authentication with the Single Node OpenShift cluster, generate an SSH key pair on the machine where you'll manage the cluster. Follow these steps:
Open a terminal on your local system and run the ssh-keygen command to create a new SSH key pair:
Access the OpenShift Console To begin the deployment process, navigate to the OpenShift web console provided by Red Hat. This console serves as the centralized platform for managing and deploying OpenShift clusters. Open a web browser and go to the following URL:
Once there, log in using your Red Hat account credentials. This portal allows you to manage your subscriptions, access the Assisted Installer for cluster setup, and monitor your OpenShift environment.
Add a Host, Configure Installation, and Download the ISO File
Add a New Host for the Cluster Deployment Navigate to the section where you can add a new host for the cluster. Select the "Single Node OpenShift" option to proceed with setting up a standalone OpenShift instance. This option ensures that both control plane and worker node functionalities are consolidated into a single machine.
Choose the Full Image Option When prompted for the installation method, select the "Full Image" option. This method generates an all-in-one bootable ISO file containing the required components for the OpenShift installation.
Provide the SSH Public Key During the configuration process, you will be asked to upload an SSH public key. Paste the previously generated public key (stored in id_rsa.pub) into the designated field. This step ensures that you can securely access the cluster via SSH for administrative tasks once it is deployed.
Generate and Download the ISO File After configuring the host details and uploading the public key, click on the option to generate the installation image. The platform will prepare a custom ISO file tailored for your specific environment, including the provided SSH key and installation configuration.
Ensure you save the ISO file in an accessible location, as it
Create a Virtual Machine for the OpenShift Single Node Cluster Deployment
After downloading the custom ISO file tailored for the Single Node OpenShift installation, proceed to create a virtual machine (VM) with sufficient resources to support the cluster. Follow these steps to configure the VM and boot it with the downloaded ISO file:
Memory (RAM): Allocate 49 GB of RAM to the VM. This amount of memory is required to handle the resource-intensive operations of the OpenShift cluster, including its control plane and worker node functionalities.
Storage (HDD): Assign a 160 GB virtual hard disk to the VM. This storage capacity ensures there is enough space for the operating system, OpenShift components, and any additional cluster data.
Processor (vCPU): Configure the VM with 12 virtual CPUs (vCPUs) to provide the processing power necessary for the efficient performance of OpenShift services.
Step 2: Attach the Custom ISO for Boot
Set up the VM to boot from the custom ISO file you downloaded earlier from the OpenShift console. This ISO contains all the components required for the installation process.
In your virtualization platform (e.g., VMware Workstation):Access the VM's settings.Under the CD/DVD (IDE) or similar section, choose the "Use ISO Image File" option.Browse to the location where the custom ISO file is stored and select it.Ensure that the boot order prioritizes the CD/DVD drive to boot from the ISO during the VM startup.
Step 3: Configure the Network Adapter
Add a network adapter to the VM and set it to Bridged Mode.
Bridged mode allows the VM to communicate directly with the physical network, obtaining an IP address from the same network as the host machine. This setup ensures the cluster can interact with external systems and services during and after installation.
Step 4: Start the VM and Begin Installation
Power on the VM.
During the boot process, the VM will load the ISO and begin the installation of the Single Node OpenShift cluster.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation and configuration process.
By carefully allocating these resources and configuring the VM, you'll ensure a stable and efficient environment for deploying your Single Node OpenShift cluster.
you can see the IP of this VM when Machine is Up
Accessing the VM and Monitoring the Installation Process
Once the virtual machine (VM) boots up and begins the OpenShift installation process, follow these steps to access the machine and monitor its progress:
Step 1: Retrieve the IP Address of the VM
After the VM has fully powered on and initialized, check its assigned IP address.
Since the VM is configured with a bridged network adapter, it will receive an IP address from your physical network's DHCP server.
To find the IP address, you can either:View it in the VM console interface (it may be displayed during the boot process or by logging in locally).Alternatively, check your DHCP server or router's client list to identify the IP address assigned to the VM.
Step 2: Connect to the VM via SSH
Once the IP address is identified (e.g., 192.168.29.17), connect to the VM remotely using SSH.
Run the following command from your local machine:
Replace 192.168.29.17 with the actual IP address of the VM if it differs.
The username core is the default for accessing CoreOS-based OpenShift nodes. The SSH public key provided during the ISO configuration step will authenticate your connection.
Step 3: Check the Agent Service Logs
After connecting to the VM, monitor the progress of the OpenShift installation by reviewing the logs of the agent.service, which handles the Assisted Installer process.
Use the following command to display the logs:
This will show detailed logs of the installation process, including any errors, warnings, or updates about the setup.
Step 4: Verify the Agent Process
To ensure that the installation agent is running, check the active processes on the VM. Use the following command to search for the agent process:
This command will display information about any running processes related to the installer agent.
✪ Senior Telco Cloud Deployment Consultant || Cloud-Native Architecture
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